Sofa bed constructions



May 31, 1966 P. F. w. JRGENSEN ETAL 3,253,283

SOFA BED CONSTRUCTIONS Filed Jan. 24, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 31, 1966 P. F. w. JRGENSEN ETAL 3,253,283

SOFA BED CONSTRUGTIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 24. 1963 3,253,283 SOFA BED CNSTRUCTIONS Foul Frederik Wiherg Jrgensen, Esbjerg, and Karl Aksel Kieldgaard Rosengreen, Copenhagen, Denmark, assignors to Foul Frederik Wiberg .'Irgensen, Esbjerg, Denmark Filed Jan. 24, 1963, Ser. No. 253,585 @laims priority, application Denmark, Jan. 25, 1962,

355; May 30, 1962, 2,421 Claims. (Cl. 5-21) This invention relates to a sofa bed construction capable of serving alternatively as a sofa and as a double bed, and

more particularly to such a construction which is provided with two couches on each of which a person may comfortably sleep.

In most hitherto known sofa bed constructions of this type, the two couches are arranged in such a manner that in the sofa position of the construction the one couch constitutes the back of the sofa and the other couch the seat thereof. In such a construction the two couches are interconnected and further connected to Ithe sofa support by means of comparatively complicated connection devices by which the two couches can be moved relative to each other into a bed position in which they are arranged side by side with their upper f-aces situated practically in the same plane.

Sofa bed constructions are also known in which .in the sofa position the two couches are arranged on top of each other. In most such constructions `the upper couch is at its rear end pivoted to the front end of the lower couch so that often after a short forwards displacement of the lower couch the upper couch can,y be swung forward relative to the lower couch into a position side by side therewith. In some cases, however, the upper couch is pivoted to the sofa bed support at its rear end, whereas the lower couch is displaceably arranged in the support and can be withdrawn therefrom after a short upwards swinging movement of the upper couch so that also in this case the two couches can be arranged in side-by-side position.

All such known sofa bed constructions are, however, complicated in construction -as well as in operation, and in spite of many endeavors to obtain the opposite effects all known such sofa bed constructions are relatively clumsy and in general do not have the attractive appearance which a single-purpose piece of furniture can be given if designed with good taste.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sofa bed construction of the type described which is not only extremely simple as to design, but also in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sofa bed construction of the type described which can be designed in its sofa position to look like a single-purpose sofa.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sofa bed construction of the type described which is simple as to design as well as in operation and by which simultaneously both couches can be given a relatively great width without the upper couch having an unduly wide dimension when used as the seat of a sofa.

A still further object of the invention is to` provide a sofa bed construction of the type described in which the lower couch is fixed whereas the upper couch is `arranged displaceably between a rear sofa position in which it lies on the top of the lower couch, and a forward bed position in which it is in a side-by-side position to the lower couch States Patent O rice and at its rear side is supported by the lower couch, at its front side by legs -attached to the upper couch. The upper couch 15 is prevented from being displaced forwards beyond its said bed position.

Still another object is to provide a sofa bed construction of the last said type by which the upper couch is during its displacements guided in such a manner that the displacement thereof is not obstructed owing to the upper couch adapting a sidewards inclined position relative to the lower couch.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of some embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings in which the embodiments are illustrated.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional view of one embodiment of the invention with its parts in sofa-position, but to enable the illustration of detailed features the upholstering is only indicated,

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. 1 of the same embodiment, but with its parts in bed-position,

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing the left portion ofthe embodiment shownv in FIGS. l and 2 with the parts thereof in bed position,

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a detail of the embodiment shown in FIGS. l to 3,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating a modification thereof,

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but of a third embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 8 is a partial plan View of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 having the upholstered parts thereof removed.

The sofa bed construction shown in FIGS. l to 3 is provided with a lower couch 10 and an upper couch 12. The lower couch 10 is provided with -a lower frame 13 simultaneously serving as a supporting frame for the sofa bed construction. The frame 13 is made from flat timber and comprises two longitudinal frame members 14 and 16, which at the ends are interconnected by means of two side frame members 1S. The outer side of the side frame members 18 extend a distance beyondthe ends of the longitudinal frame members 14 and 16, as appears from FIG. 3. Theforwardly facing edge 20 of the front frame member 16 is, as `appears from FIG. 1,"cut obliquely 'off at an angle of about 45 so that it is inclined upwards and backwards.

At either side of the frame 13 an upwardly extending side guide 22 is secured to the upper side of the frame having its outer face ush with the end edges of the longitudinal frame members 14 and 16. The front end of each side guide 22 is designed to form an even transition between the oblique front edge 20 of the frame member 16 and the horizontal upper edge of the side guide 22.

Two front legs 24 are secured to the underside of the frame member 16, and two rear legs 26 are secured to the underside of the frame member 14.

The lower frame 13 is on its upper side provided with an upholstering 28, indicated only tby its outer contour, to form the lower couch 10.

The upper couch 12, which in the sofa position shown in FIG. 1 is arranged above the lower couch 1t) is also D provided with a frame 29 made from flat timber and comprising two longitudinal frame members 30 'andA 32 interconnected lby their ends by means of side frame members 34. The frame 29 is so arranged that its side edges are flush with the end edges of the longitudinal frame members 14 and 16 of the lower frame 13. The rearwardly facing edge 36 of the rear frame member 32 is obliquely cutoff at the same angle as the front edge 20 of the frame members 16 and so that it inclines backwards and upwards. In the bed position shown in FIG. 2 the upper frame 29 is at its rear side supported by the rear edge 36 being supported by the front edge 20 of the lower frame 13.

To form the upper couch 12 the upper frame 29 is on its upper side provided with an upholstering 37, indicated only by its contour lines and having the same height as the upholstering 28 of the lower frame 13.

On the underside of each frame member 34 a supporting list 38 is secured having an -inclined underside. In the sofa position of the sofa bed shown in FIG. 1 the supporting lists 38 rest on the upper edges of the side guides 22 of the lower frame 13 and ensures a suitable inclined position of the upper couch 12 when in the sofa position is serves as a seat.

On the underside of the front frame member 30 there is opposite each of the legs 24 on the lower frame 13 secured a supporting leg 40 having the same height as legs 24, and in front of the legs 40 a board 42 extending over the whole length of the upper frame 29.

In the sofa position shown in FIG. 1 the front side of the upper couch 12 extends somewhat beyond the front side of the lower couch 10. Each front leg 24 is on its front side provided with an incision 44, see FIG. 2, and in the sofa position each of the supporting legs 40 engages the incision 44 of the corresponding front leg 24. Further the legs 24 and 40 are so designed that when a leg 40 engages a leg 24 they form a unit as their side faces are positioned in the same planes so that it looks as if there was only one leg for each set of legs 24, 40.

At each side the upper frame 29 `and the lower frame 13 are interconnected by means of a connecting device of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This device comprises an angle plate 46, 48, the upper ange 46 of which is mounted in the upper side of the rear frame member 32 at the end thereof and in such a manner that a space 50 is provided between the inner side of the other flange 48 of the angle plate. An arm 52, somewhat angularly bent, is at its one end arranged within the space 50 pivoted to the flange 48, see FIG. 5, and carries at its other end a roller 54 on each side. In the bed position shown in FIG. 2 the arm 52 extends obliquely upwards along the end edge of the front frame member 16 and along the outer side of the side guide 22. The latter is provided on its outer side with a groove 56 in which the roller 54 on the side of the arm 52 facing the side guide 22 is located. The groove 56 is closed at its end facing the front edge of the side guide 22 to provide a stop for the roller 54 so that the upper couch 12 cannot be pulled `forwards relative to the lower couch 10 beyond the bed position shown in FIG. 2, in which the rear oblique edge 36 of the frame member 32 rests on the upper side of the oblique front edge 20 of the lower frame 13 so that the rear end of the upper frame 29 is `supported by the lower frame 13.

In the bed position shown in FIG. 2 the arm 52 takes up its position shown in FIG. in which it can be swung clockwise relative to the angle plate 46, 48 and thereby relative to the upper couch 12, but cannot rbe swung in the opposite direction.

At its rear end the groove 56 is bent downwards and continues through the end `face of the rear frame member 14 of the lower frame 13 so that in the sofa position shown in FIG. 1 the arm 52 can extend obliquely downwards and backwards from thel rear end of the upper 4 couch 12 without projecting outside the rear side of the sofa bed.

At each end of the sofa bed an arm rest member 60 provided with an upwardly extending rear portion 62 is secured to the outer side of the side frame member 18 of the lower frame 13. The two members 60 are at the rear side of the sofa bed interconnected by a cross mem- 64, A back 66 is pivotably mounted between the rear portions 62 and comprises a frame 67 made from flat timber and consisting of an upper and a lower longitudinal frame member 68 and 70 respectively, and side frame members 72. Along the rear side of the upper frame member 68 an upholstery supporting board 74 extends over the whole length of the frame member 68 supported at each end by a triangular plate 76. This plate 76 is by means of a bolt 78 pivoted to the upper end of the rear portion 62. The back 66 is provided on its front side and upper side with an upholstering 80 indicated only by its contour. lines.

At either side of the upper frame 29 a stop block 82 is secured to the upper side of the frame at a distance from the rear edge thereof. This stop block is embedded in the upholstering 37. In the sofa position shown in FIG. 1 the lowermost rear edge of the lower frame member 70 abuts against the upper front edge of the stop block 82 which thus prevents the back rest 66 from being swung backwards from the position shown in FIG. 1.

A downwardly extending pin 84, see FIG. 2, on the lower side of the supporting list 38 extends in the sofa position shown in FIG. 1 down into a corresponding hole 85 in the upper side of the guide 22 thereby locking the upper couch 12 in its sofa position.

When the sofa bed has to be converted from the sofa position shown in FIG. 1 into the bed position shown in FIG. 2, first the front end of the upper couch 12 is lifted whereby the pin 84 is released from its engagement with the hole in the guide 22, whereupon the couch 12 is pulled forwards. To facilitate this movement the lower side of the upper frame 29 may opposite the guide 22 be provided with incisions in which rollers 86 or balls are rotatably mounted.

When the upper couch 12 has been pulled so far forwards that its rear end is in a position just above the front side of the lower couch 10, the rear edge of the upper frame 29 will slide downwardly along the front edge of the lower couch 10, but -is prevented Iby the arms 52 from being moved further forwards than to the position shown in FIG. 2, in which the rear frame member 32 of the upper frame 29 rests upon the front frame member 16 of the lower frame 13. The front end of the upper couch 12 may then be lowered until it is supported by the supporting legs 40, and now the upper faces of the two couches 10 and 12 will be positioned in the same horizontal plane.

When the upper couch 12 is pulled .away from the sofa position, the back 66 is released from the stop member 82 and can be swung backwards to the position shown in FIG. 2, whereby the ygreatest possible portion of the lower couch 10 can be used 'as a bed.

If later on the sofa bed has to be converted from the bed position shown in FIG. 2 into the sofa position shown in FIG. 1, again the front edge lof `the upper couch 12 is lifted. Owing to Ithe above described arrangement of the arm 52 in the angle plate 46, 48 whereby the upper couch 12 will Ibe swung about the axis of the rollers 54 and get free of the front edge of the lower couch 10 so that it can be pushed backwards guided by the rollers 54 engaging the grooves 56. In advance preferably the back 66 is swung clockwise, FIGS. 1 and 2, a little more than so that it cannot prevent the backwards displacement of the upper couch 12. When the latter has Abeen pushed backwards to its sofa position, its front end is lowered whereby the pins 84 engage the corresponding holes in the guides 22 and again lock the upper couch 12 in its bed position. The bed clothes may, if desired, be stored in the space between the `rear side of the back frame 67 and the rear side of the sofa, which may be closed in conventional manner, not further shown.

It is not strictly necessary that the arms 52 are prevented from -a counterclockwise `rotation from the position shown in FIG. 5, but if this is not the case it will be necessary that during the rst part of the conversion movement between the bed position and the sofa position the upper couch 12 is lifted at its rear end which is less convenient than lifting of the front end thereof.

The main function of the arms 52 is to serve as movement limiting members preventing the upper couch 12 from being pulled beyond its bed position shown in FIG. 1, but their location and connection with the lower frame 13 `by means of the `rollers 54 provide that they also serve as guides counteracting an oblique displacement of the upper couch 12.

ln the embodiment shown, this effect is further improved by the roller 54 on the side of each arm 52 facing the corresponding arm rest member 60 and which engages a groove 99 in this member shown in FIG. 3. The last said `roller 54 and the corresponding groove 99 may, however be omitted.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is as to all essential parts identical with the one shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and differs from the latter practically only therein that the supporting legs 140 of the upper couch 12 have very small cross sectional dimensions as compared to the dimensions of the front legs 124 of the lower couch 10. Further the front legs 124 are so designed and arranged that a relatively great portion thereof projects beyond the front edge of the longitudinal frame member 16 of the lower frame 13. Still further instead of the front incision 44 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each leg 124 is provided with an incision 144 closed at the front and the sides of the leg 124, but open at least upwards but preferably, as shown, upwards as well as backwards. In the sofa position of the sofa .bed the supporting legs 140 are located in these incisions 144 as shown in FIG. 7. In the sofa position the supporting legs 140 are thereby completely hidden. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the bottom of the incision 144 may be stepped so that the supporting legs 140 effectively prevent a forwards displacement of the upper couch 12 relative to the lower couch 10 when the sofa lbed is in its bed position, and the pins 84 used in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and r2 can be omitted.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is identical with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 as to all members described above in connection with FIGS. l to 3, but it is further provided with a guide device preventing an oblique displacement of the upper couch 12 so that the arms 52 may be as simple as possible.

Said guide device is constructed in the following manner.

On the upper side of the rear longitudinal framemember 14 of the lower frame 13 three bearings 90 are secured, see FIG. 9, in which bearings a shaft 92 extending practically over the full length of the lower frame 13 is rotatably mounted. The shaft 92 is at each end provided with a spool 94 and is over a portion of its length surrounded by a helical spring 96 one-end of which is secured to one of the bearings 90, and the other end to the shaft 92 itself.

In the sofa position of the sofa bed a nylon cord 98 is wound on each spool 94, the free end of which cord is fastened to the upper side of the stop member 82 positioned at the same side of the upper frame 29 of the upper couch 12 as the corresponding spool 94. The spring 96 is so arranged that it is tightenedy when during the forwards displacement of the upper couch 12 from the sofa position to the bed position shown in FIG. 8 fthe cords 93 are wound off the spools 94 and thereby rotate the spools and the shaft 92. The two cords 98 are so arranged that when the front edge of the upper couch 12 is parallel to the front edge of the lower couch 10, they are equally tight.

During the pulling out of the upper couch the two cords 98 will counteract this movement, although compared with the forces otherwise necessary for the movement of the upper couch 12 with comparatively small forces. If, however, the upper couch is pulled out by an oblique pull, only one of the cords will be kept tight by the spring actuated shaft 92, whereas the other cord will be loose, and even by an oblique pull this is sufficient to cause the upper couch to swing about its connection with the tight cord until again the other cord is tight and the upper couch 12 is again parallel to the lower couch 10.

During the pushing in of the upper couch 12 the cords 98 actuated by the spring 96 will try to produce the necessary movement of the upper couch 12 and thereby automatically guide the upper couch 12 so that it is kept parallel to the lower couch 10. If, however, the operator should push in the upper couch at a greater speed than the one produced by the spring actuated cords 98 and during this operation apply an oblique pressure on the upper couch 12, one of the cords will be loose and the i pull produced by the spring 96 only transferred through the other cord 98, which will, consequently, provide a stronger pull in the upper couch 12 and thereby return the latter into the desired position parallel to the lower couch 10.

While there is herein shown and described but one principal form of the invention and certain alternatives have been pointed out as the description proceeded, it is recognized that other alternatives and equivalents will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. We do not wish, therefore, to be limited except by the scope of the appended claims, which are to be construed validly as broadly as the state of the prior art will permit.

We claim:

1. A sofa construction capable of serving alternatively as a sofa and a double bed, comprising in combination; a supporting frame; a lower couch arranged on said supporting frame; said lower couch having a front side and a first upper face; an upper couch having a front portion, and a second upper face and comprising an upper frame; said supporting frame comprising a first front frame member and a rear frame portion; said first front frame member being provided with at least two downwardly extending sofa bed legs; supporting means for said rear frame portion; said upper frame comprising a second front frame member and a rear frame member; said second front frame member being provided with downwardly extending supporting legs; said upper frame being displaceably arranged on said supporting frame displaceable between a rear sofa position and a forward bed position; said upper couch being in said sofa position of said upper frame arranged above said lower couch with its said front portion projecting beyond said front side on said lower couch; said upper couch when in said ibed position of said upper frame being arranged side by side to said lower couch with its said second upper-facev situated substantially in the same horizontal plane as said first upper face of said lower couch; said rear frame member being supported in said bed position of said upper frame by said first front frame member; said front portion of said upper couch when in said bed position on said upper frame lbeing supported by said supporting legs; and movement limiting means between said upper couch and said lower couch adapted to prevent a forward displacement of said upper frame beyond its said bed position.

2. A sofa bed construction as dened in claim 1; each said sofa bed leg being providedwith an incision; said supporting legs being adapted in said sofa position of said upper frame to engage said incisions.

3. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 1; each said sofa bed leg projecting forwards from said front frame member, having a leg front side, and being provided with an incision; said incision being closed towards said leg front side; said incision being upwardly open; each said supporting leg having cross section dimensions smaller than the cross section dimensions of said incision; said supporting legs being adapted in said sofa position of said upper frame to extend into said incisions.

4. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 1; said front frame member being provided with an upwards facing backwards and upwards inclined contact face; said rear frame member being provided with a downwards facing upwards and rearwards inclined contact face; said two contact faces contacting each other when said upper frame is in its said bed position.

5. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 1; said movement limting means comprising an arm, said arm lbeing at its one end pivoted to said upper frame at the rear end thereof; said arm carrying at its other end a guide member; said supporting frame being provided with a guiding surface; said guide member engaging said guiding surface; said guiding surface being provided at its front end with a stop member for said guide member.

`6. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 5; said arm in said bed position of said upper frame being positioned in an end position extending rearwardly from isaid upper frame; means connected to said upper frame preventing an upwards rotation of said arm from said end position thereof.

7. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 1; said movement limiting means comprising an arm, said arm being at its one end pivoted to said upper frame at the rear end thereof; said arm carrying at its other end a first guide member; said supporting frame comprising a first guide provided wit ha first guide groove; said first guide member engaging said first guide groove; said first guide provided with a first guide groove; said first side of said lower couch to provide a stop for limiting a forward displacement of said `first guide member.

8. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 7; said arm carrying at its said other side a second guide memlber arranged opposite to said first guide member; said supporting frame comprising a second guide; said second guide being provided with a second guide groove facing said first guide groove, said second guide member engaging said second guide groove.

9. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 7, said groove having a rear portion stretching obliquely downwards and rearwards.

10. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 1; a shaft rotatably mounted on one of said ltwo frames parallel to said front side; said shaft being provided with two winding up portions; spring means connected to said shaft for rotation thereof; each said winding up portion having a cord wound up thereon; each said cord having a cord portion extending away from said winding up portion; said cord portion being connected to the other of said two frames.

11. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 10; said spring means comprising a coil spring surrounding said shaft and having its one end fastened to said shaft and its other end fastened to said one of said two frames.

12. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 10; each said winding up portion being constituted by a spool Ifastened to said shaft.

13. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 10; said shaft being rotatably mounted on said supporting frame.

14. A sofa bed as defined in claim 13; said shaft being rotatably mounted on the upper side of said rear portion of said supporting frame.

15. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 1; an end member at each end of said supporting frame; each said end member having an upwards extending end mem- -ber rear portion; a back extending lbetween said two end member rear portions; said back having an upper back portion and a lower back portion; said upper back portion being pivoted to said end member rear portions.

16. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 15; said upper frame being provided at its upper side with a stop member; said lower back portion being adapted in said sofa position of said upper frame to abut said stop member.

17. A sofa bed construction capable of serving alternatively as a sofa and as a double bed, comprising in combination; a lower couch having a front side, and a first upper face and comprising a lower frame; an upper couch having a front portion, and a second upper face and comprising an upper frame; said lower frame comprising a first front frame member and a first rear frame member; said first front frame member being provided with at least two downwardly extending sofa bed legs; supporting means connected to said first rear frame member; said upper frame comprising a second front frame member and a second rear frame member; said second front frame member being provided with at least two downwardly extending supporting legs; said upper frame being displaceably arranged on said lower frame displaceable between a rear sofa position and a forwards bed position; said upper couch being in said sofa position of said upper frame arranged above said lower couch with its said front portion projecting beyond said front side of said lower couch; said upper couch being in said bed position of said upper frame arranged side by side to said lower couch with its said second upper face situated substantially in the same horizontal plane as said first upper face of said lower couch; said second rear frame member `being supported in said bed position of said upper frame by said first front frame member; said front portion of said upper couch being in said bed position of said upper frame supported by said supporting legs; a side guide at each side of said lower frame; said side guide having an outwardly facing side face provided with a guide slot; a movement limiting arm pivotally connected to said upper frame at each side thereof and having a free end carrying a guide member; each said guide member engaging one of said guide slots each; each said guide slot being closed at the end facing said front side of said lower couch thereby forming stops for said guide members so that said guide arms prevent in said bed position of said lower frame a forwards displacement of said upper frame beyond said bed position; each said sofa bed leg being provided with an incision; said supporting legs being adapted in said sofa position of said upper frame to engage said incisions; an arm member connected to said lower frame at each side thereof; each said arm member having a rear arm member portion; a back extending between said two rear portions; said back having an upper back portion and a lower back portion; said upper back portion being pivotally connected to said rear arm member portions.

18. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 17; said upper frame being slidably mounted on said side guides.

19. A sofa bed construction as defined in claim 18; said side guides having sloping front edges.

20. A sofa bed construction capable of serving alternatively as a sofa and as a double bed, comprising in combination; a supporting frame including a lower couch; said lower couch having a front side and a first upper face; an upper frame comprising an upper couch having a second upper face; said supporting frame comprising a front frame portion and a rear frame portion; said front frame portion including at least two downwardly extending sofa bed legs, said rear frame portion including supporting means therefor; said upper frame comprising a front frame member and a rear frame member; said front frame member being provided with downwardly extending supporting legs; said upper frame being displaceably arranged on said supporting frame displaceable between a rear sofa position and a forward bed position; said upper couch being in said sofa position of said upper frame arranged above said lower couch with its said front frame member projecting beyond said front side of said lower couch; said upper couch being in said bed position of said upper frame arranged side by side to said lower couch with its said second upper face situated substantially in the same horizontal plane as said rst upper face of said lower couch; said rear frame member being supported in said bed position of said upper frame by said front frame portion; said front frame member 10 being in said bed position of said upper frame supported by said supporting legs; and movement limiting means between said upper couch and said lower couoh adapted to prevent a forward displacement of said upper frame beyond its said bed position.

5 FRANK B.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/ 1929 Stoltenberg 5-18 12/ 1946 McKeown et a1 5--18 5/1956 Kaefhn 5-18 3/ 1957 Bartolucci 5-18 12/ 1958 Smilow et al. 5-18 5/ 1960 Fossurn 5-18 FOREIGN PATENTS 9/1958 Great Britain. 8/ 1961 Great Brit-ain.

SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

R. B. FARLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

20. A SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION CAPABLE OF SERVING ALTERNATIVELY AS A SOFA AND AS A DOUBLE BED, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION; A SUPPORTING FRAME INCLUDING A LOWER COUCH; SAID LOWER COUCH HAVING A FRONT SIDE AND A FIRST UPPER FACE,AN UPPER FRAME COMPRISING AN UPPER COUCH HAVING A SECOND UPPER FACE; SAID SUPPORTING FRAME COMPRISING A FRONT FRAME PORTION AND A REAR FRAME PORTION; SAID FRONT FRAME PORTION INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SOFA BED LEGS, SAID REAR FRAME PORTION INCLUDING SUPPORTING MEANS THEREFOR; SAID UPPER FRAME COMPRISING A FRONT FRAME PORTION AND A REAR FRAME PORTION; SAID FRONT FRAME MEMBER BEING PROVIDED WITH DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SUPPORTING LEGS; SAID UPPER FRAME BEING DISPLACEABLY ARRANGED ON SAID SUPPORTING FRAME DISPLACEABLE BETWEEN A REAR SOFT POSITION AND A FORWARD BED POSITION; SAID UPPER COUCH BEING IN SAID SOFA POSITION OF SAID UPPER FRAME ARRANGED ABOE SAID LOWER COUCH WITH SAID SAID FRONT FRAME MEMBER PROJECTING BEYOND SAID FRONT SIDE OF SAID LOWER COUCH; SAID UPPER COUCH BEING IN SAID BED POSITION OF SAID UPPER FRAME ARRANGED SIDE BY SIDE TO SAID LOWER COUCH WITH ITS SAID SECOND UPPER FACE SITUATED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE SAME HORIZONTAL PLANE AS SAID FIRST UPPER FACE OF SAID LOWER COUCH; SAID REAR FRAME MEMBER BEING SUPPORTED IN SAID BED POSITION OF SAID UPPER FRAME BY SAID FRONT FRAME PORTION; SAID FRONT FRAME MEMBER BEING IN SAID BED POSITION OF SAID UPPER FRAME SUPPORTED BY SAID SUPPORTING LEGS; AND MOVEMENT LIMITING MEANS BETWEEN SAID UPPER COUCH AND SAID LOWER COUCH ADAPTED TO PREVENT A FORWARD DISPLACEMENT OF SAID UPPER FRAME BEYOND ITS SAID BED POSITION. 